Cooper pairs
Definition
Cooper pairs are pairs of electrons that move together through a lattice in a superconductor without resistance. They form at very low temperatures, enabling the phenomenon of superconductivity.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Cooper pairs are responsible for zero electrical resistance in superconductors.
- The formation of Cooper pairs occurs due to an attractive interaction mediated by lattice vibrations (phonons).
- Electrons in Cooper pairs have opposite spins and momenta, making them bosonic.
- The condensation of Cooper pairs into a single quantum state is described by the BCS theory.
- Breaking of Cooper pairs can occur if the temperature rises above the critical temperature.
Review Questions
- What causes electrons to form Cooper pairs in a superconductor?
- How do Cooper pairs contribute to zero electrical resistance?
- Explain what happens to Cooper pairs when the temperature exceeds the critical temperature.
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Related terms
Superconductivity: A phenomenon where a material exhibits zero electrical resistance below a certain critical temperature.
BCS Theory: A microscopic theory that describes superconductivity as resulting from electron pairing mediated by phonons, leading to the formation of Cooper pairs.
Critical Temperature: $T_c$, the temperature below which a material becomes superconducting and above which it loses its superconducting properties.
